“You can’t be Luke Scott when you’re with me, I get that, but—”
“It’s only a name.” He pressed a palm to her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart. “Names don’t define us. As long as I get to be with you, you can call me Mary Poppins for all I care.”
A deep belly laugh came out of her, and she gripped her stomach. “I think I could fall in love with you.”
He braced both her cheeks, pulling her in with his eyes. “Well, I fell for you the moment you tried to shoot me with a rifle in New York.”
“You did not, and I wouldn’t have shot you.” She playfully rolled her eyes.
“Okay, maybe it was when you mentioned the socks.” He looked down at her tall brown boots. “Speaking of which . . .”
“Mm. Yes, sir.” She stepped back and saluted him. “Maybe I could get used to taking orders from you. Well, as long as it involves orgasms.”
“Is there any other way?” He lifted his brows a few quick times to tease.
“What kind of missions have you been running?” She laughed.
He shook his head. “I’m going to count to ten, and if you’re not back inside and naked by then I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands.”
She backed up, almost into the water. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“You want to try me?” He grabbed hold of her thighs so fast she hadn’t had a chance to react and tossed her over his shoulder.
“What happened to ten?” she laughingly cried as he trekked up the sand toward her rental.
“Got impatient.” He slapped her ass. “We have time to make up for.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“All a clever disguise to give you more content for your scripts.”
She slapped his back as he carried her. “I will knock the smile off your face. Those muscles of yours don’t scare me, you know.”
“You don’t even know I’m smiling!”
“Trust me, I know.”
He dropped her onto her bed a few seconds later and stared at her. Disbelief echoed throughout him—that he’d found someone like her. “Are you sure?” He had to ask one more time. “It’s not an easy life. The secrets. Even some of my best friends who are SEALs think I’m retired. I lie to them, and it sucks, but—”
“I have you. And Jessica. And the guys. And hey, maybe they’ll even get a chance to fall for someone now, so then there will be more women in the group.” She stood and held his hand, bringing their clasped palms between them to press her lips to his knuckles, holding his eyes the entire time. “We have each other.”
His eyes thinned, the weight of the world lightening a touch on his shoulders. “We have each other,” he repeated, knowing he’d finally found his mark: her.
Epilogue
Six Weeks Later
Charleston, SC
“Everyone’s really in there?” Eva pointed to Owen’s pub and turned toward Luke.
He held her wrists, brought the backs of her hands to his mouth, and pressed his lips against her skin. “They’re my family. Well, my military family. I want you to get to know them more, so you know you don’t have to go at this alone.”
She rolled her lips inward and slipped her hands free to palm his cheeks. “I’m not alone.”
“When I’m on ops, I mean. It’ll make it easier on you to have people in your corner back home when I’m not around.” He’d rather take an acid bath than leave Eva . . . but knowing he had her to come home to made his missions so much more worth it somehow.
“I have people.”
“I’m talking about people who know what I do. We’re a tight-knit group, and now you’re part of it. There may not be many wives, but—”
“Who’s married?” She smiled as her hands traveled to the back of his head and her fingers threaded through his short hair. “Is Marcus’s wife here?”
He lowered his hands to her hips and braced her as she secured her arms loosely around his neck. “No, she couldn’t make it, but she’s still part of the family. We all still look after her.”
His stomach roiled as he thought about Marcus who had been killed two years ago; it was a painful reminder of what could happen to Eva if he died on an op, too.
Eva was all in, though. She’d been stubborn, and now—well, now, he’d never let her go.
“So, who’s inside who’s married? Did one of your pals go to Vegas and have a Hangover moment?” She snapped her fingers and closed one eye. “Liam, right?”
He laughed. “No. Noah and his wife are here. I’ve been wanting you to meet them.”
Noah was one of his long-time best friends since day one of the SEALs, and he’d retired from the Navy not too long ago to be with his daughter. He ended up falling in love with Jessica’s best friend, Grace.
“I thought just the team was inside—you know, people who know your deep, dark secrets.”
Luke released a sigh and tipped his chin toward the moonlit sky. “Yeah, well, I told Noah the truth in New York last week.”
“What? Really? How’d he take it? Doesn’t he work jobs every once in a while at the security company? I also thought you didn’t want him to know the truth since he’s a dad.” She stepped back and pressed a hand to her abdomen.
“Which question do you want me to answer first?” He grinned.
“Go in order,” she said with a smile in her eyes.
“Noah said he already knew, or”—he lifted his shoulders—“suspected something. He wasn’t pissed. And, since I’ve been breaking rules ever since you and I met—and, since I’m going to be a dad, too, thanks to my super SEAL swimmers—”
“Did you really just say that?” She smiled for only a second before her lips flattened. “I feel like you’re not telling me something. What are you leaving out?”
“Always with the questions.” He angled his head and narrowed his eyes. “Noah and Grace live near your loft in New York, and I’d feel more comfortable knowing you had not only Jessica but them to help whenever I’m away. And I couldn’t ask Noah to be a godparent tonight with the lie of what I really do between us.”
“We’re asking him to be a godparent?” She wrapped a hand around the nape of her neck and stared at the pavement.
“Well, I thought you could choose someone on your side, and I’d ask someone close to me. They could flip a coin to decide who gets our baby if something happens to us.”
She slapped his chest. “Luke!”
He shrugged. “What? I can’t ask anyone else I know because they’re doing the same crazy shit as me. Plus, Noah’s a great father, and so—”
“Nothing is going to happen to either of us.” She grabbed his forearm and held his eyes. “Got it?”
“Contingency plans. I always have them,” he said, and she huffed out a rough breath.
“Fine.” She shook her head.
His lips quirked into a grin as he dropped his gaze to her stomach. “I still can’t believe we’re having a baby.”
“Like you said, your super SEAL swimmers managed to disarm my birth control defenses.”
“Damn straight.” He pulled her against him and dropped his mouth over hers for a kiss.
“It’s unexpected,” she said when they started for the pub, “but nothing has really gone as planned since I met you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said before they entered Owen’s place.
He caught sight of most of the team huddled around the bar as Owen and Jessica made drinks. But it was Noah and Grace whom he wanted to chat with first, and they were at a booth off to the side of the bar.
Owen mock-saluted him as he held Eva’s hand and strode through the army of empty tables.
“About damn time,” Noah said. He stood to greet him, giving him a quick one-armed hug before doing the same with Eva. “I was beginning to worry this guy made you up.”
“I’m very much real.” She shook Grace’s hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you guys. I’ve heard—well . . . you know Luke . . . h
e doesn’t talk much about anyone or anything.”
Grace laughed. “Sounds about right. But, we’re so glad he found you.”
Eva eyed Grace’s stomach and then glanced at Luke out of the corner of her eye. “You’re pregnant? Luke didn’t mention that.”
“Twins,” Grace said, her cheeks deepening to a bright red.
“Congratulations.” Eva pulled Grace in for a hug this time.
“Where’s your daughter? Is she in New York?” Luke asked.
Noah nodded. “Yeah, she’s with her mom. I was hoping to bring her down this weekend, but I couldn’t arrange it.”
“Did you guys take the boat from New York?” he asked.
Grace rolled her eyes. “Hell no. Not with me like this.”
“Well,” Luke began while placing his palms together, “there’s something we wanted to ask you.”
“We should probably make the announcement first, right?” Eva asked.
Luke reached for her hand and peered at his buddies toasting with shot glasses behind him. “Good point.”
“Shit, man, you’re making me nervous.” Noah stood on the other side of him when Eva and Luke faced the room.
“Yeah, well, you’re about to hear why,” he muttered under his breath. Being a father was going to be a lifetime op—one he could never screw up. He’d already bought every book in the store about how to raise kids. It was . . . overwhelming to say the least.
Noah cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled, “Hey!”
The guys from Echo and Bravo Teams turned and eyed them, most still with drinks in hand.
“They have something to say.” Noah wrapped a hand over Luke’s shoulder.
“Well, why the hell did you bring us down here? Are you getting hitched?” Asher lifted a brow, and Jessica smacked the back of his head.
“Christ, woman,” Asher rasped.
“How about you do it?” Eva asked.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, please,” she mouthed back to him.
“I’m going to be a dad,” he sputtered fast without a second thought. “So don’t get me fucking killed on any ops.”
“That’s a direct order,” Eva added in all seriousness before breaking into a smile.
“I’m glad Noah said yes to being a godparent. I really like him and Grace. And our babies won’t be too far apart in age.” She sighed. “Did you see the look on Jessica’s face tonight, though? We definitely shocked her.”
Luke looked up to find Eva’s eyes. “Honey, we just made love, and I’m still busy touching you—maybe we could talk about my sister later?”
She smirked. “What? You know I can never turn off my brain.”
“Even during sex?” He buried his face against her soft skin again and trailed his lips up her stomach.
“Well, no. I’m only thinking about you then,” she said while stroking his hair.
He cupped her breasts and gently squeezed. “Your tits are already getting bigger.”
“Ow. They’re sensitive, too.” She laughed and he scooted up to kiss her lips.
“Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re irresistible, and I’m in heaven right now.” He rolled over to his side and pulled the sheet loosely over his body. “I never realized I could have it all. You. A baby. My work.”
“If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.”
He shifted on the bed slightly and slowly said, “Marry me, then?”
Her lips parted, and she sucked in a sharp breath. “But you said we can’t. Your real name can’t be connected to me, and—”
He found her hand and clasped it between their bodies. “It doesn’t have to be legal right now, but it could be . . . you know, something just for us. I know we’re doing everything backward, but—”
“Yes,” she rushed out.
His heart slowed to a steady beat, and he pulled her into his arms and held her, knowing no matter what happened in the future, he’d made the right choice.
He had everything he could ever want, and he’d spend his days continuing to try and make the world a better place for Eva and his child.
“I love you,” she said, her words like smooth silk.
“I love you, too, Hollywood.”
“Mm. Skywalker and Hollywood. I think we’re a perfect fit.”
He touched her stomach. “But what will we name the little guy?”
“‘Guy’?” She turned so her body partially draped his, her fingernail running lazily up and down his chest.
“We’re having a boy.” He coughed into a closed fist. “I’m not gonna go to jail because I lose my shit over some guy making out with my daughter in the back seat of a car.”
She chuckled. “Or in a bedroom. Or at a school dance. Or a locker room.”
He pinched her nipple, and she gasped. “Gotta have all boys. There are too many possible scenarios I may not be able to account for otherwise.”
“I’m sure you can come up with plenty of contingency plans.”
He grabbed hold of her and flipped her beneath him so his palms were on each side of her. He stared down into her eyes, nearly losing himself in that moment.
“Read my lips, sweetheart.” His eyes tightened, but his lips crooked into a smile. “Boys.”
“So they can turn out like you?” She paused for a moment, her brows drawing together and a beautiful sincerity touched her eyes. “Of course . . . having a few more heroes in the world might not be such a bad thing,” she whispered then kissed him.
More Stealth Ops + News
I hope you loved the first book of the series as much as I enjoyed writing it. I can’t wait to bring you more stories in the series. Bravo Team (Luke, Owen, Asher, Liam, and Knox) and then you’ll meet Echo Team.
Owen’s story is next -> Finding Justice (continue reading for a sneak preview). You’ll also get another glimpse of some tension between Jessica and Asher in this extract. ;)
BONUS SCENES for the Stealth Ops Series will hit newsletter subscriber inboxes late 2018. If you’re a new subscriber, check your welcome email to download free bonus scenes.
If you haven’t read Someone Like You or My Every Breath - those books feature characters from Finding His Mark. Noah and Grace star in Someone Like You, and Owen and Jessica take on a case for Scott & Scott Securities in My Every Breath!
If you’re not part of my Facebook Reader Group - I’d love for you to join -> Brittney’s Book Babes.
Thank you again for reading and until next time . . .
Preview - Finding Justice
Owen York lost his brother to war.
Samantha McCarthy lost the love of her life in the same SEAL operation.
Ten years later – they’ll work together to try and find justice … without also crossing the line of falling for each other.
Add to Goodreads / Preorder
This is not the edited and final version and is subject to change.
Prologue: Recruitment
“If you’re here I must be in heaven.” Owen squinted as he observed his old SEAL friend Luke Scott standing alongside his hospital bed. “But, you’re not dead, and so . . .”
A smile stretched Luke’s mouth, and he placed a hand on Owen’s shoulder. “Your helmet came off during the blast, and you got yourself a concussion. Doc says you’ll be fine.”
That explained the slightly shrill noise, like a ringtone buzzing in his ears. “A woman was on the porch when we went for the extraction . . . she was strapped with a vest, right?” After that, everything went black.
“Yeah. Sorry, man.”
After losing his brother five years ago in the same damn city in Iraq, he couldn’t believe he nearly died there, too. “My men? Are they okay?”
“CO said they’re good.”
Owen tried to sit, but Luke shook his head, and so, he relaxed back onto the bed. “The HVT?”
“I can’t confirm, but it doesn’t look like he was ever inside the house.”
“Knew it was a damn trap.” Owen closed his eyes, h
is stomach shaky. “Why are you here? I heard whispers of your retirement, but since you’re standing here I’m guessing those were rumors.”
Luke had been on Team Three with him up until two years ago when he was pretty sure DEVGRU, or Team Six, had recruited him.
“He did retire. Well, sort of.” It was a woman’s voice, which had Owen’s lids opening.
He studied the gorgeous blonde standing to his left. How had he not noticed her? He blinked and shook his head as if that would dispel the head-detached-from-body feeling he had going on right now.
He narrowed his eyes, catching her long legs cross, then dragged his gaze up to her face. “Aw, you brought me a gift.”
“Watch it,” Luke said. “She’s my sister.”
“Now I see why you never showed any of the guys on base her picture.”
“Didn’t want to have to kill anyone for—”
“Luke . . .” Even in Owen’s foggy state he could hear the clipped warning in Luke’s sisters’ tone. “I’m Jessica.”
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but until I know why you’re here . . .” He clasped his hands atop his chest and burrowed the back of his head deeper into the not-so-fluffy pillow.
His stomach tucked as a sudden wave of nausea hit him. Damn concussion.
“Do you want to enlighten him as to why we’re here, or do you want me to?” she asked Luke.
“Did someone die?” Owen nervously asked.
“No, no one died,” Luke replied.
Luke’s words afforded Owen the chance to take a breath and a pinch of lucidity flowed through his mind. “How’d you get her on base, by the way?”
Luke folded his arms, his biceps still the size of tanks. “She’s government.” There was a definite bite to his voice.
“Guessing this is news to you?” Owen pressed his palms alongside his body to try and sit. Sister or not, if Luke brought a government official to the military hospital he was about to be leveled by something serious.
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